Monday, June 22, 2009

Hei's Daggers (Darker than Black)

I was commissioned to make 2 replicas of the daggers that Hei uses in the anime series Darker than Black

Since I was making 2 of these and they're symmetrical, I decided to sculpt one half of the blade. This would be molded and cast 4 times in resin, then the resin halves assembled to make 2 complete knives. I started out by cutting the rough shape from illustration board.

I then skimmed this in apoxie sculpt to give me the beveled edges of the blade and hilt.

After bondo, primer and shaping, the finished piece was mounted to a piece of MDF for molding.

I used RTV silicone to make the mold, and casting resin for the blades.

6 copies were pulled in case I made any goofs. The mixture of resin wasn't right on the upper right blade, so that one was scrapped.

Since the casting resin isn't terribly rigid on its own, I carved recessed out of the blade and hilt to hold a 3/8" steel rod to act as the core. These were glued in with gorilla glue, which expands as it dries and will ensure a tight fit.

Both blades got 'da clamps, and dried overnight.

After that, its time for bondo, primer, and sanding! yippee.....

I originally finished these in a "clean" look, but discussed with my client the option of weathering them to make them appear more realistic. After a bit of hesitation, but it was eventually decided to go ahead with the realistic treatment:

Hey, I've been looking through all your work on this site and I've very impressed. I'm in school to become a Graphic Designer and I also love making props for the costumes I go to conventions in. So far I've made a Pyramid Head helmet, his Great Knife, and I'm currently working on a Hei cosplay. I’ve got the knives made of balsa wood epoxysculpt and I’m working on the mask. I'm fairly new to making props and I'm not nearly at the caliber you are but I was wondering if you could give me any advice on where to get a good start and materials so I can make better props for myself and possibly get into the field? If you can my e-mail is:

TheLaughingMan08@aol.com

I’d really appreciate any information you could give me if you have the time.

Hey man I know you said you aren't taking any requests for right now but how much did you sell these for? If it was within my price range you'll be hearing from me as soon as you're available cause these are amazing! If you could email me with the price whenever you have the time that would be awesome! My email is josborn@valornet.com

can i buy 2 from you plzzzzzzzzzzzzzz iam in hawaii and 8days from Halloween so iam making a darker than black hei costume from scratch i waS going to use resin for the mask but iam going with plaster of paris and lol play do as the mold i will make the knife out of wood the only thing is the string to make it go out freely but to have puonds of fource pulling it back wish i had your knives look awesome great job see ya

Beautiful work on the daggers, and the proportions are perfect. Definitely a great work.

If you're not taking requests right now, but if you do start I was planning on doing a Hei cosplay at Anime on Display next February and I was wondering if you could make a pair for me with possibly the sheaths.

Here's my email if you would like further information. If its within my spending budget I will definitely go for it.

Hey! Awesome work! I was planning to make these same knives on my own, but, would you mind sending me the instructions and materials needed for this? This would be my first time EVER doing this, but I do have a whole lot of time.My email is: cheeseburger.javy@gmail.comYour help would be really really appreciated! :D

Hello, first of all awesome work, i'm very impressed! I'm planning to make a pair of these myself. so my question is, do you have a stencil with the sizes, the help would really be appreciated. And if your selling a pair i'd also be interested! My email is: Akuusan@gmail.com

I fully understand your the kind of guy that wants people to be inspired to do the DIY kinda thing. But from the tools you used... There isn't any way I could get something like this done in a single month. Xander.manuel@gmail.com if your interested in making another worn pair for sale. I'd also want them sized to fit my body type so it doesn't look like I'm lugging around lightsabers/swords. Thanks!

Hi i was looking for Hei's daggers online today and i came across your wonderfully made ones, i was wondering if you were still taking commissions for them? I have two already but they tragically broke apart :( so i am looking for a new sturdier pair. I don't trust myself to make them personally so if you don't mind please send me an email at Prozport@bellsouth.net Thank you :)

I was wondering if these were for sale if one was could you please email me the price and details to herro.moose@gmail.comi would really appreciate it i just need the blades to finish my hei costume and i wont have the time to make one before my next con.

Just wondering if I could get any information such as dimensions off you too ^^, mainly just wondering what sort of primer to use after the bondo and the dimensions of the dagger. Email is Jeegarshah92@gmail.comThanks!

Hey, like many others I would like to purchase a set of these. If you would be willing to make and sell me a set then please e-mail me the details about price, how to pay, date when they might be ready, etc.

Hello! Like all these other people I'm very interested in getting a pair of these daggers. I would like to know what materials you would be willing to make these out of? More importantly, how much would you charge to make them?